HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
SEPTEMBER 23, 1999
G-06637
MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE
Police have released the identity of a woman who died early Thursday (September 23, 1999) after she was struck by a vehicle as she was attempting to cross Paniolo Avenue near Hooko Street in Waikoloa, South Kohala.
Police identified the woman as Loreta Montano, 48, of a Waikoloa address.
Responding to a 9:53 p.m. call Wednesday, officers determined Montano was struck as she was crossing Hooko Street in an area that was not marked by a crosswalk and by a vehicle heading makai on Paniolo Street. The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at 1:27 a.m.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation to determine if speed was a factor in the accident. Alcohol is not believed to have been involved in the accident, and a standard negligent homicide case has been initiated. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
This was the 23rd traffic fatality so far this year on the Big Island, compared to 28 at the same time last year.
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